Art materials Read the label Avoid paints (acrylic, oil, watercolor, and encaustics) that contain harmful heavy metals. Try switching to the alternative hue colors, which produce a similar effect but do not contain certain heavy metals *. Choose safer art materials by going to SFApproved.org During painting Use a rag to wipe off excess paint on the brush. Use oils like linseed or walnut to clean brushes. Avoid using solvents whenever possible. If you must use solvents, use a brush cleaning tank to reduce exposure and to minimize amount of solvent used. Keep covered when not in use. After painting Most brushes can be cleaned with soap and water. Some brushes may require special cleaning care. Refer to manufacture s instruction. Do not rub/swirl brushes with pigment on the palm of your hand when cleaning with soap or brush cleaner. Use a palette or non reactive surface. Encaustics The odor given off by hot wax is due to chemicals which can be hazardous to your health. Keep the wax temperature as low as possible and provide ventilation if this odor is detected. * Some of the hues may contain Titanium Dioxide pigments (PW6), which is harmful if inhaled. The risk is high when sanding. To reduce exposure to airborne particles when dried: Please wear a mask to protect yourself from inhaling these particles. Conduct wet sanding which generates less airborne dust, and use a seal or varnish to finish your work.
Product Labeling Avoid products with CA Prop 65 labels. These products contain chemicals that may cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Always read labels and safety instructions on all products. If a label is not visible look for or ask the manufacturer for the ingredients and look up the health effect associated with it on ChemHAT.org If the label is not immediately recognizable, err on the side of cautionassume these products are not safe for use. Written warnings When using products or materials from hardware stores, look for written warnings such as the words, flammable and hazardous. Use caution when handing these products. The absence of a warning does not mean the product has been tested for safety. Informed choices Choose materials which tend not to create dusts, sprays, vapors, or fumes which can be inhaled. Use with care No matter what the label says, maintain the same level of hygiene you would if the product were harmful.
Technique Surfaces Instead of priming your surfaces, use pre-primed canvas or boards to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals that could be in grounds or sizes. Turpentine Extremely harmful, turpentine may cause asthma and is a skin irritant. Do not conduct turpentine washes. Risk of Ingestion Never point brushes with your lips. Risk of Inhalation Apply paints and glazes by brushing or dipping instead of spraying. Spraying a product can increase the likelihood of inhalation. When using aerosol products (spray-paints, adhesives, varnishes), work in a spray booth. If this is not possible, use a studio space that has a spray booth installed.
General Hygiene Personal Protective Equipment Look at the Chemicals of Concern table and choose appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) by looking in the PPE column. Wash hands Always wash your hands and under your fingernails thoroughly after you work on your art. Wear gloves If skin exposure to paint and solvents is inevitable, wear gloves and long sleeves. Keep separate work clothes and wash them separately. Avoid drinking and eating in the studio space. Food and drink kept near your art material can become contaminated with small toxic particles that may be harmful to your health. Listen to your body and look for signs of exposure and damage such as frequent headaches, dizziness, rash, nausea. To see a list of possible symptoms go to: hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/types-of-activities Always be prepared to provide your doctor with precise information about the chemicals you use and your work practices.
Storage Keep all art supplies properly labeled and securely stored, sealed and out of reach of children. To learn about specific product storage instructions, visit the manufactures website or review the product Safety Data Sheets (SDS). Cleaning Floors, tables, and shelving should be made of materials which can be readily cleaned. Never use or clean up art materials in kitchen areas. Studio Space and Storage Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or wet mop in your studio to reduce exposure to harmful dust particles; do not sweep as this only moves dust around and increases the risk of inhaling it. Fire Hazard Eliminate all sources of ignition such as flames, lit cigarettes, and hot plates with exposed elements. Use a metal cabinet or fire proof storage for flammable materials. Rags soaked in painting oils such as linseed or poppy oil can spontaneously combust. For temporary storage, all used oily rags should be in an airtight metal container. To dispose of them, soak the rags in water in a sealed metal container and dispose as hazardous waste.
Ve entila ation Genera al Ventilation Provide fresh air by openiing windo ows or do oors. Cro oss ventilation can n be provided d by haviing openings such h as doors or wind dows on opposite o sides of a room. entilatio on Mechanical Ve There is no one air a purifyiing unit th hat would d work fo or all art materials. m. ors or toxxic dusts, considerr investing g in mech hanical For conttrol of solvent vapo ventilatio on. An in ndustrial ventilatio on engine eer should d be able e to provid de solutionss that work for you ur studio. If this is not possiible, a prroperly lo ocated exhaust fan n and ope en window w can be very helpful. Bad Ventilatio V on Go ood Ventilation ng Cleanin When cleaning c your y workkspace ve entilate th he area well w during g and aftter the cleaning g. Fo or more Infformation,, visit SFEnvironmen nt.org/artis sts
Ingredients Review the Chemicals of Concern list to learn which ingredients to avoid or use. Choose safer art materials which reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals by going to SFApproved.org Purchasing and Disposal Respirators If a dust mask is not effective or if a respirator is called for, use the Chemicals of Concern list as a starting point. Always consult a doctor to get the appropriate respirator and fit. Safety Data Sheet If you are not sure of the ingredients, refer to the SDS provided by the manufacturer. When possible, purchase from companies that provide ingredient information. Disposal Many art materials contain hazardous ingredients and should not be poured down the drain, or put in the trash, recycling or composting bins. Unusable art materials (paints, rags, rinse water) must be treated as hazardous waste. For hazardous waste disposal, call o Recology at (415) 330-1425 if you are a professional artist. o Recology at (415) 330-1405 if you are a hobby artist.
Chemicals of Concern Compare the ingredients in your art materials with the list below. If you cannot find your ingredients in the list below, refer to chemhat.org for appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to use. Category Choose Avoid Suggested PPE if you cannot avoid Respirator Catridges and Filters Brush Cleaner Soap and OV* Turpentine Water Medium - Heptanes OV Xylene Solvent Odorless Mineral Spirits (with ventilation) D-limonene Turpentine OV Spike of Lavender Oil Paint/Pigment Cadmium Cadmium N95 # Hue Zinc Lead/Flake N95 White(PW5) White Spray Paint - Ethylbenzene OV,N95 Pigments HEPA,N100 Varnish Ethanol, Ethyl Acetate, DGME Naphtha LPG Petroleum Hydrocarbons Gloves ** Respirator Goggles Ventilation *OV stands for organic vapor cartridge used in the respirator # N95 stands for the N95 filter used in the respirator **Gloves Nitrile gloves are good for protecting against most art materials. But some chemicals like acetone eat through the gloves. Please refer to the Safety Data Sheet of your art material to choose the appropriate glove for your art.